Meth continues to be major problem with five arrested in Calhoun and Liberty busts

The madness of meth continues in Calhoun and Liberty counties with five arrested in meth busts on both sides of the river over the past week.

In Calhoun County, Westley Robert Williams, 39, and Melissa Terry, 34, were both charged with manufacture of meth and possession of listed chemicals.

Lt. Timothy Partridge and Sgt. Jared Nichols went to Williams’ Bay Street home in Pine Island Nov. 21 following a suspicious number of pseudoephedrine purchases. Terry was at the home, but said she did not live there. Upon speaking with Williams, he reportedly admitted he “messed around” with meth a couple months back and was considering trying to cook it, but had not done so. Williams showed the investigators an opened pill box with only 5 of 15 pseudeoephedrine pills remaining. He further showed them crushed pills and an empty bottle he reportedly said was used as a meth reaction vessel.

Williams was read his rights and reportedly waived them, freely showing investigators items and said he was only “trying” to cook meth. A thorough search was conducted with numerous items used to manufacture meth discovered, as well as burnt tinfoil with suspected meth residue. A purse belonging to Terry was searched with more burnt tinfoil found. Terry allegedly offered she assisted Williams in crushing pills to make meth.

A warrant was issued for their arrests and they were taken into custody Friday.

Over in Liberty County, Loretta Swearengin, 23, Daniel Brown, 25, and Michelle Alexander, 50, were all charged with manufacture of meth. According to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Todd Wheetley and Lt. Mark Mallory conducted a knock and talk at a home on North SR 12. Swearengin opened the door and investigators smelled a strong odor consistent with the manufacture of meth. Swearengin consented and a search of the home was done with several items used to cook meth seized, along with burnt tin foil with meth residue. Swearengin said Brown had been cooking meth there and she and Alexander, who also resided at the home, joined him in smoking the finished product.